Does anybody know of any studies on the demographics of AOL customers? My hunch, from those I know who use it, togeher with AOL advertising (I'm in the UK), would be that it tends to be:
(a) Net newbies who then keep renewing their service
(b) Older folks who like a bit of hand-holding
This is not meant to be derogatory --- I'm simply curious as to who these millions are and why they stick with a service that is slow, cumbersome and expensive.
Maybe you're right --- I did reply to that article just after shovelling out the trash from an email account!
However, I still argue that in the case of the mega-spammers who do this kind of thing regularly, some suitably tough penalty may be the only answer.
In the long term, some technological solution needs to be found (I've recently plumped for challenge-response on my main email account, not ideal, but a darn-sight better than it was).
Agreed --- until the courts demonstrate that they believe spam to be a serious offence, the spammers will not be deterred. And I'm afraid that passing down a custodial sentence is the only way that will be demonstrated.
Slashdot Mirror
(a) Net newbies who then keep renewing their service
(b) Older folks who like a bit of hand-holding
This is not meant to be derogatory --- I'm simply curious as to who these millions are and why they stick with a service that is slow, cumbersome and expensive.
However, I still argue that in the case of the mega-spammers who do this kind of thing regularly, some suitably tough penalty may be the only answer.
In the long term, some technological solution needs to be found (I've recently plumped for challenge-response on my main email account, not ideal, but a darn-sight better than it was).
Absolutely. Spelling mistakes are a hinging a fence.
Agreed --- until the courts demonstrate that they believe spam to be a serious offence, the spammers will not be deterred. And I'm afraid that passing down a custodial sentence is the only way that will be demonstrated.